Isopropyl Alcohol

[Eddie6th]

Isopropyl alcohol or rubbing alcohol is something I used to be able to buy easily and i mainly used it for cleaning Video and tape heads.I realized that it is used in detailing.

I went out to buy some today,only to discover that I can't find it.I asked at a chemist(which is where I used to get it from) and they gave me all this nonsense about it not being taxed by govt.,so it can't be used for making liqour.Then they offered me Denatured alcohol or Methylated spirit,which is entirely different.

I mean,if I can go to the supermarket and buy a bottle of Johnny walker's or jack Daniel's for under 8 euros,what is the point? Buying a bottle of Iso.Alc. was more expensive when i used to get it.

What a crazy world!

[Lasthope05]

Re: Isopropyl Alcohol

If you cant get isopropyl alcohol then denatured alcohol will work equally as effective diluted 1:1.

[J.S.]

Re: Isopropyl Alcohol

Crazy world indeed. I can get 300-500 mL of 70% or 90% Isoproyl Alcohol at "dollar stores" here.

[CieraSL]

Re: Isopropyl Alcohol

Wild. Here in the States, you can buy rubbing alcohol in retail stores (Wal-Mart, Target, Big Lots, etc.), pharmacies, dollar stores, probably some gas stations. It's readily available. And it's cheap.

[Eddie6th]

Re: Isopropyl Alcohol

I know it sounds crazy,but it's just this paranoid way the govt. thinks here in europe. They're worried about someone going out and buying this stuff to make liqour...I mean..It's stupid! The denatured pink stuff is cheap and they put color and toxins in it so you can't drink it. Some do,but i think it'll tear your liver to shreds.

The only thing with the pink stuff is it is stronger..about 90%,whereas IPA is 70%,so maybe a dillution of 60/40 might be better.I used to use that aswell for cleaning old furniture.But that's not the same as a wipe down.It's more cleaning/aggitating.Works great for that.

Before I joined the forum,I never thought about wipedowns on vehicles.It's not mentioned here much.I think i read that if you're using only Meguiar's products,it's not really needed.

[the_invisible]

Re: Isopropyl Alcohol

Eddie, this is when you go to your doctor and ask him/her for them.

This is one narcotic you would not get arrested for using.

[Eddie6th]

Re: Isopropyl Alcohol

Eddie, this is when you go to your doctor and ask him/her for them.

This is one narcotic you would not get arrested for using.

I asked at another chemist today,and she is going to try and get it for me. If not,i'll ask the doc.

Years ago,I had an aquarium.Marine set-up. One day I was in the store buying some stuff.Next door was a chemist.I decided that I wanted a mercury thermometer.I went in and asked,and the man said "what do you want it for?" I said "an aquarium"(holding a couple of bags with the shop logo on them)..He said ......"I don't believe you...what are you up to?"
I was taken a back. I said "It's for an aquarium..why do you think i've got these 2 bags in my hands?....If you don't believe me,go next door and ask Fred" Then he said "I don't care if you know Fred...you can't have one!"
I walked out the shop saying.."&+$!? ...A**%0/£..!" Later when i spoke to fred,the aquarium dealer,he said.."Oh,him...he's a complete loon-ball!"

Talk about Monty python? I don't even know what a teensie weensie little bit of mercury is capable of doing? I know it is extremely poisinous,but that's it.

[J.S.]

Re: Isopropyl Alcohol

Yeah mercury can cause poinsoning by coming in contract with it's liquid or vapour. There's no harm if you don't break the thermometer glass that contains the mercury. There's mercury in compact fluorescent lamps which are available all over Europe I'm sure. Maybe the chemist didn't want to be held responsible or whatever IF something "bad" where to happen. Definately frustrating for you though!

A friend of mine spent a few years on Baffin Island in northern Canada and 99% of products there had to be shipped up by plane or a ferry delivered stuff a few times a year. He told me that stuff like mouthwash was off limits because the "natives" would drink it to get drunk. Sad.

[Eddie6th]

Re: Isopropyl Alcohol

Yeah mercury can cause poinsoning by coming in contract with it's liquid or vapour. There's no harm if you don't break the thermometer glass that contains the mercury. There's mercury in compact fluorescent lamps which are available all over Europe I'm sure. Maybe the chemist didn't want to be held responsible or whatever IF something "bad" where to happen. Definately frustrating for you though!

A friend of mine spent a few years on Baffin Island in northern Canada and 99% of products there had to be shipped up by plane or a ferry delivered stuff a few times a year. He told me that stuff like mouthwash was off limits because the "natives" would drink it to get drunk. Sad.

Mouthwash....Don't give me any ideas!

I think every country has mad laws somewhere.

[Jossy92]

Re: Isopropyl Alcohol

Target has it 70% and 90% concentration.
I have seen it at Costco 70% concentration.

[90% = 10% water]

I was told rubbing alcohol has added chemicals. Maybe someone would know if those would affect paint.

Edit: Just noticed "Italy" I guess my lips got tired reading posts. Sorry.